diff --git a/api/boinc_api.cpp b/api/boinc_api.cpp
index 8a98f7d487..fbdc18a432 100644
--- a/api/boinc_api.cpp
+++ b/api/boinc_api.cpp
@@ -505,8 +505,10 @@ int boinc_parse_init_data_file() {
     FILE* f;
     int retval;
 
-    // in principle should free project_preferences here if it's nonzero
-
+    if (aid.project_preferences) {
+        free(aid.project_preferences);
+        aid.project_preferences = NULL;
+    }
     memset(&aid, 0, sizeof(aid));
     strcpy(aid.user_name, "");
     strcpy(aid.team_name, "");
diff --git a/checkin_notes b/checkin_notes
index 59c3aaaad4..73698f0e6d 100644
--- a/checkin_notes
+++ b/checkin_notes
@@ -9369,3 +9369,9 @@ David  11 Nov 2008
         time_stats.cpp
     lib/
         parse.cpp
+
+David  11 Nov 2008
+    - API: free project prefs before parsing init file
+
+    api/
+        boinc_api.cpp